In Between - How to Play In Between

In Between

In Between is a fast-paced gambling game where players wager on whether a drawn card will fall between two others.

2-10 players 52 cards Easy Low strategy Short 5.5/10 popularity

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♠ Quick Reference
Goal
Bet that a third card falls between two dealt cards.
Setup
  1. Everyone antes into the pot.
  2. Shuffle and place the deck centrally.
  3. The first player is dealt two face-up cards.
On Your Turn
  1. Look at your two face-up cards.
  2. Decide your bet amount (or pass).
  3. A third card is revealed to determine the outcome.
Scoring
  • Win your bet from the pot if the card falls between.
  • Pay your bet into the pot if it does not.
Tip: Only commit big chips when you see a wide spread between the two cards.
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Rules

In Between (also called Acey Deucey or Between the Sheets) is a simple gambling card game. Players bet on whether the next card drawn will fall numerically between two face-up cards.

Objective

Win chips by correctly predicting that a third card will rank between two dealt cards.

Setup
  1. Players: 2 to 10 players.
  2. Deck: A standard 52-card deck.
  3. Deal: Each player contributes an equal ante to the pot. On a player's turn, two cards are dealt face up.
Gameplay
  1. Step 1: Two cards are dealt face up in front of the active player.
  2. Step 2: The player decides how much to bet (up to the pot) that the next card will fall between the two cards in rank.
  3. Step 3: A third card is dealt. If it falls between the two cards, the player wins their bet from the pot.
  4. Step 4: If the third card does not fall between (or matches either card), the player adds their bet to the pot. Play passes clockwise.
Scoring
  • Winning means taking your bet amount from the pot.
  • Losing means adding your bet amount to the pot.
  • If the two dealt cards are consecutive or a pair, most groups require the player to pass.
Variations
  • Pot Limit: Players may only bet up to half the pot to keep the game going longer.
  • Post Pairs: If the third card matches one of the two dealt cards, the player must pay double their bet.
Tips and Strategies
  • Only bet large when the gap between the two cards is wide.
  • Pass or bet small when the spread is narrow, as the odds are against you.
  • Keep track of how many cards have been played to gauge remaining probabilities.
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Tips & Strategy

Bet big only when the spread is wide. Pass on narrow gaps to protect your chips.

The wider the gap between the two cards, the better your odds. A spread of 6 or more ranks is generally considered a strong betting opportunity.

Trivia & Fun Facts

The game is sometimes called Red Dog, though Red Dog can also refer to a different casino game with slightly different rules.

What happens in most versions of In Between when the two dealt cards are consecutive?

History & Culture

In Between has roots in simple frontier gambling games and has been a popular party and barracks game for generations.

In Between is a staple of casual card nights and college gatherings, known for its simplicity and exciting swings of fortune.

Variations & House Rules

Pot Limit caps bets at half the pot to extend play. Post Pairs punishes matching the dealt cards with a double penalty.

Set a maximum bet to keep the game friendly. Use a second deck for larger groups to avoid reshuffling.

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